Driving assistance device, method and computer program that can  be stored in a memory of a mobile terminal in order to operate the device

ABSTRACT

A device for assisting in the driving of a motor vehicle, the assistance device comprising a screen with variable light transmission, intended to be arranged between a road scene and a driver of the vehicle, and a control or control means for controlling a transmission coefficient of the screen with variable light transmission. According to the invention, the screen and the control or control means are configured so as to be able to be embedded on the vehicle as different components of an after-sale product.

Driving assistance device, method and computer program that can be stored in a memory of a mobile terminal in order to operate the device

The invention relates to a device for assisting in the driving of a motor vehicle and a method and a computer program for implementing said device.

While a vehicle is moving, its driver has to permanently look outside of the vehicle to warn of any hazard likely to provoke an accident. Now, the view of the driver is regularly disrupted by the outside light, whether from glare due to the sun, due to the lights of an incoming vehicle or of a following vehicle, or else by abrupt brightness variation such as when entering or leaving a tunnel.

In order to improve the comfort and the safety of the driver, a number of solutions have been proposed. One of them consists in using a screen with variable transmission of the brightness, in the form, for example, of spectacles worn by the driver, the transparency of which varies as a function of a transmission coefficient applied to said screen. The transmission coefficient takes into account the brightness and the screen attenuates the quantity of light transmitted when necessary. In the known solutions, the computation of the transmission coefficient is performed using embedded processing means provided, in series production, on the vehicle.

Nevertheless, these solutions do not enable the driver of a motor vehicle, in which the device has not been installed when manufacturing said vehicle, to be able to profit from their functionalities.

One solution that can be envisaged for resolving this problem is to provide said processing means in the spectacles but such a solution leads to a high degree of sophistication thereof. In case of loss or damage to the spectacles, the replacement cost is thus high.

The invention aims to mitigate at least some of the drawbacks of the known driving assistance devices and methods.

To this end, the invention thus proposes a device for assisting in the driving of a motor vehicle, said assistance device comprising a screen with variable light transmission, intended to be arranged between the road scene and a driver of the vehicle, and means for controlling a transmission coefficient of the screen with variable transmission. According to the invention, said screen and said control means are configured so as to be able to be embedded on the vehicle as different components of an after-sale product.

It will thus be understood that neither said screen nor said control means form part of said vehicle when it has been manufactured. They are, on the contrary, configured to be able to be embedded in said vehicle after it has left the factory, notably at any time in the life of the vehicle, from when it is commissioned to when it is scrapped. They will in particular be able to be sold and/or shipped independently of the vehicle.

The invention can thus be used in any vehicle, without the latter having any particular series-production equipment. Furthermore, since the control means are not incorporated in the screen, the technical sophistication and the cost of each of the components of the device are limited.

According to different embodiments, which will be able to be taken together or separately:

-   -   said screen comprises spectacles;     -   said device comprises a support incorporating said control         means, said support being configured to be fixed in the vehicle,     -   said support comprises means for electrically powering said         control means;     -   said control means are dedicated to said device;     -   said control means are configured to be installed permanently on         the vehicle;     -   said control means are configured to exchange information with a         mobile data processing terminal, notably a mobile telephone         and/or tablet,     -   said control means are configured to take account of said data         to determine said transmission coefficient;     -   said control means are configured to be mobile with the driver         of the vehicle;     -   said device comprises a mobile data processing terminal, notably         a mobile telephone and/or tablet, equipped with said control         means,     -   said device comprises a brightness sensor;     -   said control means are configured to take account of a         brightness level recorded by said brightness sensor to determine         said transmission coefficient;     -   said brightness sensor is configured so as to be able to be         embedded on the vehicle as a component of said after-sale         product, distinct from said screen;     -   said brightness sensor is incorporated in said support;     -   said control means are configured to process one or more types         of information out of:         -   a speed of the vehicle,         -   a positioning of the vehicle,     -   said control means configured to take account of said         information to determine said transmission coefficient;     -   said control means are configured to transmit a control signal         to the screen with variable transmission;     -   said control means comprise a transmitter of remote control         waves suitable for transmitting the control signal to a receiver         of said screen with variable transmission;     -   said receiver is able to control the transmission coefficient of         the screen with variable transmission;     -   the remote control wave transmitter is configured to transmit         the control signal according to a wireless communication         protocol.

The invention relates also to a screen and/or control means specially adapted to be used in the assistance device described above.

The invention relates also to a method for controlling, notably remotely, said light transmission coefficient, implementing said device.

Said method will advantageously comprise a step of setting thresholds, notably brightness thresholds, and a step of computing said transmission coefficient using said thresholds. Said method will also be able to comprise a step of selecting filtering laws for the computation of said light transmission coefficient.

The invention relates also to a computer program, that can be stored in a memory of a mobile data processing terminal as described above, said program comprising instructions for remotely controlling said transmission coefficient. It will in particular be able to be a digital application that can be downloaded remotely onto said terminal

Other aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given purely as a nonlimiting example and which refers to the attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in partial cross section of a vehicle in which a device according to the invention is used;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the assistance device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically represents, in partial cross section, a vehicle 20 in which an assistance device according to an embodiment of the invention is used.

The vehicle 20 is controlled by a driver, symbolized by his or her eye 24. The road scene corresponds to what the driver 24 of the vehicle 20 observes. The driver 24 here observes the road scene SR in front of the vehicle 20 and through the windshield 26.

The device according to the invention comprises a screen 28 with variable light transmission. Said screen 28 is arranged in the field of vision of the driver 24, between the latter and the road scene. Said screen with variable transmission is, for example, as represented in FIG. 1, a pair of spectacles 28, worn by the driver 24, like sunglasses or corrective glasses, just one spectacle lens having been represented in FIG. 1. The screen 28 can also be arranged in place of the sunscreen, in front of the driver. In all cases, the screen is removable, that is to say able to be embedded on the vehicle as a component of an after-sale product. Such a screen comprises, for example, a combination of polarizers and a liquid crystal screen. It will also be able to be electromechanical mirrors (MEMS).

When it is in the active phase (that is to say operating), said device controls a transmission coefficient of the screen with variable transmission, notably by a pulsed signal. The aim of this is for the screen with variable transmission to have its transmission coefficient at the maximum (that is to say that the transparency of the screen is at the maximum) for a certain period during which the driver 24 sees the road scene. Another aim is for the screen with variable transmission to have its transmission coefficient at the minimum (that is to say that the transparency of the screen is at the minimum) for another period, during which the outside lightings of the road scene are attenuated.

For this, the device comprises control means 30 which here generate the pulsed signal intended to control the screen with variable transmission 28. Said pulsed signal is established, for example, in a processing unit 34.

The pulsed signal will be able to be a periodic signal of period T, the amplitude of which varies between a minimum Min and a maximum Max. The minimum Min corresponds to a transmission coefficient at the minimum for the screen with variable transmission. In the same way, the maximum Max corresponds to a transmission coefficient at the maximum for the screen with variable transmission.

It will in particular be possible to characterize the pulsed signal by a duty cycle which is equal to t/T, t corresponding to the time in which the value of the pulsed signal is at the maximum and T to the period of the pulsed signal. In practice, the pulsed signal is used to control the transmission coefficient of the screen with variable transmission by choosing the value of t.

Thus, for a value of t equal to T/2, in other words for a duty cycle of 50%, the screen with variable transmission has its transmission coefficient at the maximum for half a period and at the minimum for half a period, and the result is equivalent to a mean transmission coefficient equal to the mean between the maximum transmission coefficient and the minimum transmission coefficient.

Said control means 30 are further configured to transmit a control signal, containing said pulsed signal, to the screen 28 with variable transmission.

For that, said control means 30 comprise, for example, a transmitter 38 of remote control waves, suitable for transmitting the control signal to a receiver 40 of said screen with variable transmission 28. Said transmitter 38 is here linked to the processing unit 34.

Said receiver 40 of the screen 28 is advantageously able to control the transmission coefficient of the screen with variable transmission, in particular from said pulsed signal. It will be understood thereby that it is configured to apply to the screen with variable transmission commands to activate the liquid crystal screen and/or electro-mechanical mirrors, corresponding to the pulsed signal.

Said control means, in particular the remote control wave transmitter 38, are configured to transmit the control signal according to a wireless communication protocol. It will be able to be the protocol corresponding to the IEEE 802.15.1 standards and all of its extensions (commonly referred to by the registered trademark Bluetooth) or IEEE 802.11 standards (commonly referred to by the registered trademark Wi-Fi).

According to the invention, said screen 28 and said control means 30 are configured so as to be able to be embedded on the vehicle as different components of an after-sale product, suitable for communicating with one another, preferably independently of the vehicle. The assistance device according to the invention can in this way be acquired by the driver independently of his or her vehicle. It will in particular be able to be used in vehicles comprising no specific preinstalled equipment for controlling the transmission coefficient of the screen 28. Furthermore, said control means 30 are distinct from said screen 28 which makes it possible to limit the sophistication of each of the components.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, according to a first aspect of the invention, said device comprises a support 40 incorporating said control means 30. Said support is advantageously configured to be fixed in the vehicle, for example on its dashboard and/or windshield, notably using a sucker, not illustrated.

Said device further comprises a brightness sensor 42, communicating with said control means 30. Said brightness sensor will be able to take any form suited to its function, notably a photometric sensor, camera or the like. Said brightness sensor 42 is advantageously configured so as to be able to be embedded on the vehicle as a component of said after-sale product, while remaining distinct from said screen 28. In other words, it is not incorporated in the spectacles. It is here incorporated in the support 40. It will be able to exchange data with said control means, notably with via a data communication network 44, for example an LIN network (Local Interconnect Network). Said control means are then configured to take account of a brightness level recorded by said sensor 42 to determine said transmission coefficient.

Said assistance device will be able to comprise an electrical power supply 46 for said control means 30 and/or for said brightness sensor 42. Said electrical power supply 46 is incorporated, for example, in said support 40. Said power supply notably comprises a battery and/or a charger. As a variant and/or in a complementary manner, said device is configured to be linked to an onboard network of the vehicle.

Said control means will also be able to be configured to exchange information with a mobile data processing terminal 48, such as a mobile telephone, a digital tablet or the like.

Said information comprises, for example, a speed of the vehicle, this datum being particularly useful to establish the transmission coefficient of the screen 28 in a relevant manner, in particular correlated with the recorded brightness. It will also be able to be a positioning of the vehicle, notably a positioning used by the GPS (Global Positioning System) system, this datum being particularly useful to anticipate strong changes of brightness on entering and/or leaving a tunnel. Said control means 30 are configured to take account of said information to determine said transmission coefficient.

According to the preceding aspect of the invention, it will be understood that said control means 30 are dedicated to said device in as much as they are not shared with other applications or incorporated in a data processing device having other functions. Thus, said control means 30 are advantageously configured to be installed permanently on the vehicle, notably through said support 40. In other words, even if said support 40 is removable, said control means 30 and/or said brightness sensor 42 are designed to remain in the vehicle, once fitted.

According to another aspect of the invention, not illustrated, said control means 30 are configured to be mobile with the driver of the vehicle. They will in particular be able to be incorporated in the mobile data processing terminal. Said terminal incorporates, for example, a data medium, that can be read by a microprocessor of said terminal, said data medium storing instructions that can be executed by said microprocessor and allowing for the control of said control means.

The support 40 will then be able to be limited to the brightness sensor 42 which will advantageously be made able to communicate with said control means by a wireless communication protocol.

According to this aspect also, said control means 30 are advantageously configured to process one or more types of information out of the speed of the vehicle and/or the positioning of the vehicle, among others, and said control means 30 are configured to take account of said information to determine said transmission coefficient.

As a variant, the vehicle speed information will be able to be incorporated as a predefined parameter in said control means. The latter will also be able to be configured to allow for the setting of thresholds, notably glare thresholds, and/or to select, out of a number of laws pre-stored in a memory, a filtering law used in calculating the light transmission coefficient.

The invention relates also to a computer program, for example that can be stored in a memory of the mobile terminal 48, said program comprising instructions for remotely controlling said transmission coefficient.

Said program will in particular be able to take the form of a digital application that can be downloaded onto said terminal from a digital application server. 

1. A device for assisting in the driving of a motor vehicle, said assistance device comprising a screen with variable light transmission, intended to be arranged between a road scene (SR) and a driver of the said motor vehicle, and control means for controlling a transmission coefficient of said screen with variable light transmission wherein said screen with variable light transmission and said control means are configured so as to be able to be embedded on said motor vehicle as different components of an after-sale product.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said device comprises a support incorporating said control means, said support being configured to be fixed in said motor vehicle.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, in which said support comprises means for electrically powering said control means.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are dedicated to said device.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are configured to be installed permanently on said motor vehicle.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are configured to exchange information with a mobile data processing terminal and to take account of data to determine said transmission coefficient.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are configured to be mobile with said driver of said motor vehicle.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, comprising a mobile data processing terminal, equipped with said control means.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a brightness sensor and in which said control means are configured to take account of a brightness level recorded by said brightness sensor to determine said transmission coefficient.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, in which said brightness sensor is also configured so as to be able to be embedded on said motor vehicle as a component of said after-sale product, distinct from said screen with variable light transmission.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are configured to process one or more types of information out of: a speed of said motor vehicle; a positioning of said motor vehicle; and to take account of said one or more types of information to determine said transmission coefficient.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means are configured to transmit a control signal to said screen with variable light transmission.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 12, in which said control means comprise a remote control wave transmitter of remote control waves suitable for transmitting said control signal to a receiver of said screen with variable light transmission, said receiver being able to control said transmission coefficient of said screen with variable light transmission.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 13, in which said remote control wave transmitter is configured to transmit said control signal according to a wireless communication protocol.
 15. A computer program, that can be stored in a memory of said mobile data processing terminal as claimed in claim 8, said computer program comprising instructions for remotely controlling said transmission coefficient.
 16. A device for assisting in the driving of a motor vehicle, said assistance device comprising a screen with variable light transmission, intended to be arranged between a road scene and a driver of said motor vehicle, and a control for controlling a transmission coefficient of said screen with variable light transmission wherein said screen with variable light transmission and said control are configured so as to be able to be embedded on said motor vehicle as different components of an after-sale product.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 16, in which said device comprises a support incorporating said control, said support being configured to be fixed in said motor vehicle.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 17, in which said support comprises means for electrically powering said control.
 19. The device as claimed in any claim 16, in which said control is dedicated to said device.
 20. The device as claimed in claim 16, in which said control is configured to be installed permanently on said motor vehicle. 